Mrs. Tucker has worked in the public school system for 27 years, working primarily with students with special needs. She has served as Special Education Team Leader and as Special Education Department Chairperson.
Need an ARD meeting advocate in Highland Park? As experienced autism advocates in Highland Park, we help parents navigate the IEP/ARD process with confidence. From understanding your child’s rights to securing the right services, we’re here to support and empower you every step of the way.
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Autism, a neurological condition, is characterized by differences in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.
Intellectual disability is a condition characterized by limitations in cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors, impacting an individual's everyday life and learning abilities.
Emotional disturbance refers to a condition in which an individual exhibits inappropriate behaviors, emotions, or both, leading to difficulties in social interactions and academic performance.
Children with ODD often exhibit stubbornness, argumentativeness, and a tendency to deliberately provoke others, leading to significant impairment in social, academic, and familial functioning.
Advocates emphasize the importance of understanding ADHD as a unique neurological variation rather than a flaw, promoting acceptance, support, and accommodations for individuals with ADHD to thrive.
OHI is an engaging platform offering insightful content tailored to advocate interests, fostering community and empowerment through knowledge sharing.
A specific learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the brain's ability to receive, process, analyze, or store information. It can manifest in difficulties with reading, writing, math, or other cognitive processes despite average or above-average intelligence
A speech impairment refers to any condition that affects a person's ability to produce sounds correctly or fluently, or to use their vocal cords, tongue, lips, or other speech-related structures effectively.
A few topics Alicia can present include: “How to help de-escalate a child with intense behaviors”, “How to utilize a Safe Place within the classroom”, “Using visuals effectively”, “Documentation and collecting data on IEP goals and behaviors” and “Building rapport with sensitive and students with challenging behaviors”. She can also tailor presentations to address specific needs of the staff
Looking for a special education advocate in Highland Park? We provide personalized support to help families navigate the special education process with confidence. As experienced IEP advocates in Highland Park, we work alongside parents to ensure their child’s needs are fully understood and met during ARD and IEP meetings. Whether you’re just beginning the process or facing challenges with school services, we’ll help you understand your rights, ask the right questions, and secure the support your child deserves. Let’s work together to turn confusion into clarity—and make sure your child receives the education they are entitled to.
Looking for an ADHD advocate in Highland Park? We specialize in supporting families of students with ADHD to navigate the special education process and secure the right services. As dedicated MRD advocates in Highland Park, we understand the challenges students with learning differences face and how to effectively advocate for the support they need. Whether you’re preparing for an ARD meeting, reviewing an IEP, or struggling to get accommodations, we provide guidance, clarity, and representation every step of the way. Let’s work together to ensure your child has the tools and support to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
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Testimonials
Kayla Graves2026-05-22Working with Ms. Gina is the best decision I could have made. She is knowledgeable, efficient, and truly goes to bat for her clients. I felt supported and well-represented throughout the entire process. Thank you, Ms. Gina, for your outstanding service!
Neya Ambalathunkal2026-05-22I cannot say enough great things about the support I received from Gina. Despite having very little notice before our meeting, she came fully prepared — she clearly put in extra time after hours to make sure we were ready. She presented herself with such calm and professionalism, and that made a huge difference for me going into a stressful situation. She advocated strongly for my daughter and helped guide the meeting toward the outcome we were hoping for. I felt supported every step of the way. If you’re a parent navigating the special education process, I highly recommend her services. We are so happy with the experience and grateful for everything she did for our family. Tucker Special Education Advocates are true to their word and have fair pricing as well. We are happy with our experience with them.
Ayana Hutchinson2026-05-21We used Alicia Tucker Special Education Advocates to help us navigate the often confusing special education system, and the experience was outstanding. Prior to working with them, we felt like we were being given the runaround by the school district and were making little to no progress advocating for our child. Working with this advocacy company made a huge difference. They simplified the process and ensured we fully understood our child’s rights every step of the way. Our advocate, Gina, was exceptional! She attended our ARD meeting and brought a level of knowledge and professionalism that truly elevated the conversation. She helped guide the meeting, ensured our concerns were addressed, and advocated effectively for our child’s needs. Most importantly, she helped us achieve the outcomes our child is entitled to. Having someone knowledgeable and confident in our corner made all the difference. We are incredibly grateful for their support and are happy to continue our journey with them as we move forward. We highly recommend their services — 10/10 experience.
morgan obrien2026-05-21Alicia Tucker is an absolutely incredible advocate. From the very beginning, she made me feel heard, supported, and confident that my child’s needs truly mattered. She is extremely knowledgeable about the school system, special education services, and student rights, and you better believe she will fight tirelessly to make sure your child will receive the support and accommodations they deserve! She goes into every meeting prepared, professional, and determined to advocate for what is best for your child!! I couldn’t recommend her and her team enough!!!! Thank you Alicia!!!! ❤️❤️
Dimitria King2026-05-20I cannot thank Gina Schmidt and the entire Tucker Education Advocates team enough for their support during this process for my son. Candace immediately reached out to schedule a consultation and Alicia personally contacted me to gather additional information to better support my son’s educational needs. The team moved quickly, reviewed records, communicated with the district, and prepared for my son’s ARD meeting right away. Throughout this stressful process, I felt heard, supported, and reassured every step of the way. Gina and her team have been professional, responsive, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable. Their guidance helped me better understand my rights and advocate confidently for my son’s education and future. I am truly grateful and blessed to have Tucker Education Advocates supporting my family, and I would absolutely recommend them to any parent seeking an advocate for their child.
Wes Machalica2026-04-30I've had a great experience with Tucker Advocacy. I really appreciate the knowledge and professionalism that Ms. Tucker and her team bring to the table and it's encouraging to know that my student is receiving the best representation in her accommodation process. Huge thanks to Ms. Tucker and her team for all the support and for helping us through the ARDs!
Claudia Gonzalez Chavira2026-04-24I don’t know what I would have done without them ! More then a service they offer you a sincere concern for your needs! Gave me peace of mind the most important is there knowledge if the laws that protect our children! I don’t feel alone with the issues regarding my son’s rights!
Jeff Smith2026-04-23Very knowledgeable and very professional. Highly recommended!
kristen Padgett2026-03-03We are so incredibly grateful for Gina with Tucker Advocates. She went above and beyond advocating for our daughter and made us feel supported every step of the way. Gina is knowledgeable, professional, and truly understands special education. She came prepared, explained everything clearly, and made sure our concerns were heard and addressed. Because of her, we felt confident walking into meetings instead of overwhelmed. What stood out most was how much she genuinely cares. She fought for what was appropriate for our child and didn’t back down when things got tough. Having her on our side made all the difference. I highly recommend Gina and Tucker Advocates to any parent who needs strong, compassionate advocacy for their child. We couldn’t have done this without her!
As Special Education Advocates in Highland Park, the retainer fee includes a comprehensive range of services designed to support you and your child throughout the special education process. These services include reviewing and interpreting evaluations and IEP documents, preparing for and attending ARD meetings, advocating for appropriate accommodations and services, and providing guidance on your child’s educational rights. Additionally, we offer ongoing communication with school staff, assistance with paperwork, and strategic planning to ensure your child’s needs are met. The retainer fee ensures you have dedicated, expert support every step of the way.
Behavioral challenges related to ADHD or autism can be effectively addressed in schools through individualized plans like a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). For families seeking support, working with an advocate in Highland Park can help ensure these plans are tailored to the student’s unique needs. A BIP outlines specific strategies and interventions to manage challenging behaviors, promote positive skills, and create a supportive learning environment. Collaboration between parents, teachers, and specialists is key to implementing consistent approaches. With the right support, students with ADHD or autism can thrive academically and socially while minimizing behavioral disruptions.
If your child has both dyslexia and ADHD or another learning need, it’s important to address each challenge through a comprehensive, personalized plan. Working with a dyslexia advocacy specialist in Highland Park can help ensure your child receives the right evaluations, accommodations, and interventions tailored to their unique profile. Schools can provide support through an IEP or 504 Plan that targets both reading difficulties and attention challenges. Coordinated efforts between parents, educators, and specialists are essential to help your child succeed academically and build confidence. With proper advocacy, your child can get the support they need to thrive in school and beyond.
Steps to connect with Us
We offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation. During this time, we will address your concerns regarding the current situation and explore potential options for the next steps.
If we both agree to move forward at the end of our conversation, We will provide you with a Consent to Authorize Advocacy and Release of Educational Information to sign and send along with a letter to the school notifying them that you have engaged our services.
We will send you a questionnaire to write all of your concerns regarding the current situation, your goals and reasons for seeking our services, as well as your experiences with your child and the district.
Review of Records involves a comprehensive review of all documents, including past and current evaluations, IEPs, and relevant academic and medical records as well as the questionnaire detailing your concerns.
The advocacy plan will be tailored to your student and specific situation and may include the following:
We require a $200 retainer fee and a completed Client Intake Form before work can begin.
We can also attend meetings with you for a flat rate of $500 which includes travel time.
Please note: If you need to file for due process, there will be an additional fee of $300 required before we can submit the paperwork on your behalf.
